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Modified RGB-based kerogen maturation index (KMI): Correlation and calibration withclassical thermal maturity indices

Research Authors
Sameh S. Tahoun, Amr S. Deaf, Thomas Gentzis, Humberto Carvajal-Ortiz
Research Abstract

Thirty-eight cutting samples from the Lower Jurassic to the Upper Cretaceous succession of the Abu Tunis-1X well, north Western Desert of Egypt, were processed palynologically to extract their psilate sporomorphs. This designated practice was made to assess the digitally-quantified progressive changes in the triple Red-Green-Blue (RGB) coloration of sporomorph exine with depth. Stabilization and calibration of the illumination system was applied. Certain precautions were also implemented prior to such digital RGB measurements; forexample, some exceptionally lighter (caved) or darker (reworked) specimens were excluded from RGB coloration population samples to avoid misleading results. A minimum of three and up to ten spore grains were studied according to the sample richness and two RGB readings were taken for each selected specimen. The average, standard deviation, and confidence level values for each sample were calculated due to the variable palynological productivity of the samples. In the present study, an attempt was made to monitor and distinguish which of the color components and/or parameters is the most sensitive detector of the progressive maturation changes with depth. By investigating the trends of different parameters of the RGB (i.e. total RGB, R, G, B, R/G) with depth, we were able to distinguish and deduce a linear maturation index from the triple RGB readings. Such a linear maturation index was based on the R component and was successfully correlated and calibrated with other conventional, linear maturity indices (T⁠max⁠°C, vitrinite reflectance-VRo%, and thermal alteration index-TAI). The newly modified, RGB-based maturation index called the Kerogen Maturity Index (KMI) can confidently and effectively detect the subtle and progressive changes in kerogen maturation with depth. Such correlation and calibration practices presented herein enabled us to present a modern, reliable, easy to use, and inexpensive measuring technique to assess the thermal maturity of organic matter. The KMI covers the immature and most of the mature phases (early-upper mature) of kerogen and it has its own vitrinite-calibrated cut-offs, which can be correlated with both the T⁠max and TAI parameters. This undoubtedly allows the KMI to be easily correlated and complement other classical, expensive maturity indices. This opens the door widely for the palynologists and organic petrologists to use the KMI with good confidence and high reliability for its proven good maturity appraisal.

Research Department
Research Journal
International Journal of Coal Geology
Research Member
Research Publisher
Elsevier Ltd.
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
Vol. 190
Research Website
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/aip/01665162?sdc=1
Research Year
2018
Research Pages
pp. 70–83